The Red-breasted Nuthatch 
Range of 5 . c. tenuissima. —At least the Panamint and White Mountains of 
California; probably also the western rim of the Great Basin north to eastern Oregon. 
Authorities.—Fisher ( Sitta carolinensis aculeata ), N. Am. Fauna, no. 7, 1893, 
p. 136, part (Panamint Mts ,)\ Grinnell, Condor, vol. xx., 1918, p. 88, fig. (orig. desc.; 
type locality, Panamint Mts.; meas., etc.). 
THIS interesting subspecies, described by Grinnell from the White 
Mountains, which occupy the eastern border of Inyo and Mono counties, 
would not deserve special mention here save for a circumstance connected 
with its nesting. The slenderer and, therefore, weaker bill of this form 
requires accounting for. I think it may be due to this fact, that at the 
upper levels, say 10,000 alt., where the bird nests, it is usually able 
to avail itself of natural cavities, instead of being required to make with 
its beak a laborious excavation for the nest. The bird's bill, therefore, 
became debilitated through lack of exercise. At least the three nests 
we examined, May 26-28, 1919, were natural cavities in the lodge-pole 
pine (Pinus contorta), although one of them had been partially enlarged 
by the birds. 
The male Nuthatch is indefatigable in his devotion to his sitting 
mate; and when we wished to spy upon domestic secrets, we had only 
to watch diligently the comings and goings of male birds until the nest 
location was made. The notable paucity of bird life at this level was of 
assistance also, in that it simplified the quest. 
No. 129 
Red-breasted Nuthatch 
A. O. U. Xo. 728. Sitta canadensis Linnaeus. 
Synonyms.— Red-bellied Nuthatch. Canadian Nuthatch. 
Description. — Adult male: Crown and nape shining black; white superciliary 
lines meeting on extreme forehead; a black band through eye; remaining upperparts 
grayish blue; wings fuscous, unmarked; tail-feathers, except upper pair, black; the 
outer pairs subterminally blotched with white in retreating order; chin, and sides of 
head, and neck below the black, pure white; remaining underparts rusty, or ochraceous- 
tawny. Bill short, subulate, plumbeous-black; feet dark brown. Adult female: 
Similar, but crown like the back with only traces of black beneath: lateral head-stripe 
blackish: usually paler rusty below. Immature male: Like adult male, but paler 
below and black of head not glossy. Young female: Like adult, but duller. Length 
101.6-120.6 (4.00-4.75); wing 66.3 (2.61); tail 36.3 (1.43); bill 14.4 (.57); tarsus 16 
(.63). 
Recognition Marks. —Pygmy size; black and grayish blue above; rusty below; 
tree-creeping habits. 
Nesting. — Nest: Of grasses, feathers, etc., in a hole of tree or stub, excavated 
by the bird, usually at lower levels. Eggs: 4 to 6; white or creamy white, speckled 
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